Target apparatus



P. F- GAUS T-RGET APPARATUS ,Filed May 23' 1934 Iulvuluult lmlll I G4Feb. 19? 1935? 2 Sheetsrsheet 1 INVMOR Paul I. 60H5" Feb. 19, 1935.

P. F. GAUS TARGET APPARATUS Fiied May 25, 1954 I 1 l J INVENTOR.

Paul Il Gaius Hrs ATTORNEYS.

fl (l Patented F eb. 19, 1935Y UNITED STATES PATENTE-'FICE TARGETAPPARATUS L PaulvF. Gaus, Chicago, Ill. .i Apparati@ Mayas, i934, serialNo.' '127,031 somm. crave-1pz) This invention relates to an amusementappalatug v Itis an vobject of vvthis .invention to provide an improvedamusement apparatuswhich-is relatively simple and inexpensive inconstruction and eicient'in use'. Y

Another object o f this invention` is to provide a` novel amusementapparatus that is particularly intended yfor use in 'outdoor vamusementparks, fairsQand the like.

Otherf objects will appear hereinafter. 4

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement. ofparts to be hereinafter d escribed and claimed.` Y i The invention willbebest understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing thepreferred formv of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective viewfillustrating the invention assembledinposition for use;

Fig. 2vis a top planV view, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail plan viewg.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a target and latch mechanismembodied in the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the latch mechanism shown inFig..4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view of the means for mounting rthe animalcharacter embodiedfin the invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the means for mountingthe animal character;

Fig. 8 is a part elevational View of the new apparatus in assembledposition; V

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional detail view on line 9-9inFig.8."

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional View on line 1U-'10 in Fig. 8; 'L

Fig. l1 is a horizontal sectional detail View;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view `on line'12-12 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is avertical sectional View on line 13-13 inFigB;

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view on line 14`14 in Fig. 8; 'f j Fig. 15is a sectional detailview on line 15-15 in Fig. 3; and Fig. 16 is a sideelevational view on line 16-16 in Fig. 15. f

A preferred form of the new amusement apparatusfis shown in theaccompanying drawings and therein the same is Yshown in conjunction witha fair or amusement park or other like amusement place, in which is`provided a water pool 20. Arranged in this pool 2 0 is an animalcharacter which is generally Vindicated at 21, and pro-jecting upwardlyfrom the pool `2Q is a group of posts 22 which are ornamented toresemble trees, so

that thewhole is given the appearance of the natural` habitat of theanimal simulated by the character 21.l

. Also projectingupwardly from the pool is a verticalV rod 23. whichfcarries at its upper end o. target 24. ARotatably mounted upon one ofthe posts 22, by means of suitable .bearing blocks 26, (Fig. 8')V is a'horizontal shaft 2 5 (Figs. 8 and 12) vwhich lsupports a seat orplatform, generally indicated at 27; the s eat 27 being fixedly attachedor keyed tothe shaft 25 so as to turn or rotate therewith (Fig. 12).

. Inl the use of the new amusement apparatus, a

bo-y sits upon the platform 27, above the level of the water in the pool20, and the player throws a ball or like missile at the target 24. Ifthe player succeedsin striking the target 24, means, presently to bedescribed, are actuated to release theseat 27 and drop'the boy therefrominto the pool 20, While at the same time this motion Vof the target 24,when struck, actuates means, also presently to be described, by whichthe animal character 2,1 is caused to move inthe pool 20 toward the boydropped thereinto from the seat 27 by the act of the player in strikingthe target 24. Afterthis operation, the boy climbs up out of the pool20`by means of a ladder28 `(Fig. 8), and thisclimbing operationofthe boyupon the ladder' 28` operates means, presently tobe described, by` whichthe seat 27 is reset into horizontalposition and the target 24 jandanimal character 21 are returned to or reset into theirinitialpositions. c.

Havingxthusgiven `a general description of theoperation ofthe newamusement apparatus, a

detailed description of the construction and operation of the same willnow be given. l The seatfstructure 27 Aincludes a horizontallyprojecting portion or platform 29, and it also inf end portion'ofthe'se'atpla'tform 29 having a flat shock absorbing or buffer'spring 32arranged i therebelowwith its end portions projected into recesses 33formed in the end blocks 30; the tension ofthe spring-'32 and the amountof movement allowed the innerend portion of the seat platform 29 uponits pivot 31 being capable 'of variationbyadjustment of set screws 34and Cil 35 which are mounted in the end blocks 30 (Fig.

Carried by the horizontal shaft 25 is a beveled gear 36 (Fig. 8) whichmeshes with a corresponding beveled gear 37, the gear 37 being carriedby a vertical shaft 38. 'I'his shaft 38 is rotatably mounted in avertically extending channel 39 (Figs. 8 and 11) which is formed in thesupporting post 22.

At its lower end the vertical shaft 38 carries a beveled gear 40 (Fig.8) which meshes with a corresponding beveled gear 41, the gear 41 beingmounted upon one end portion of a horizontal shaft 42 which is submergedin the pool 20. One end of the shaft 42 is mounted uponthe post 22 (Fig.8) and the other end thereof is mounted upon a supporting frame 43 whichis also submerged in the pool 20.

At its other end the horizontal shaft 42 carries a beveled 'gear 44(Fig. 2) which meshes with a corresponding beveled gear 45, the gear 45being carried by a second horizontal shaft 46 which is also rotatablymounted upon the supporting frame 43 and submerged-in the pool 20.

Carried by the shaft 46 at one side ofthe supporting frame 43 is acounterweighted Y-shaped member, generally indicated at 47 (Fig. 2).This member 47 includes a counterweighted arm portion 48 and a pair ofdiverging arms 49 (Fig. 2).

Extending transversely between the upper end portions of the arms 49 isa shaft 50 and pivotally mounted on this shaft 50 isa frame, generallyindicated at 51, which supports the body and upper jaw portions 57 and76 (Fig. 8) of the animal` character 21; the animal character 21 havinga lower jaw portion 52 which is alsol pivotally mounted upon the shaft50 by means of a sleeve 83 (Fig. 6); the lower jaw portion 52 of theanimal character being urged toward the upper jaw portion 76 of the sameand kept in a substantially horizontal position vby means of coilsprings53 (Figs. 6 and 7), each of which has an end portion 54 that is attachedto the lower jaw portion 52 of the animal vcharacter 21, and each of.which has its other end portion 55 attached to the adjacent side rails84 of the frame 51 (Fig, 2).

Extending betweenV the side rails 84 of the frame 51 and transverselyacross the body 57 0f the animal character 21 is a rod 58 (Fig. 2). Thisrod 58 projects through a slot 59 formed in a channel bar 60 which isarranged between the side rails 84 of the frame 51 (Fig. 8) This bar 60is pivotally connected at its lower end, as at 61, to a link 62 which,in turn, is pivotally connected at its lower end, asv at 63, to thesupporting frame 43. The channel rnember60 has marginal flanges 85 (Fig.8) for a reason to be explained hereinafter.

The upright target, supporting member, or rod 23 is pivotally mounted atits lower end, as at 56, (Fig. 4) upon a vertically extending portion 70of the supporting frame 43. Pivotally connected to the target-supportingmember 23 between the ends of the latter, as at 64 (Fig. 4) is an arm65. This arm 65 is pivotally connected at its upper end, as at 66 (Figs.4, 5, and 15) to another arm 67 and the arm 67 is pivotally connected atits lower end, as at 68, to the supportingr frame 43 (Fig. 4). Y

Pivotally mounted. on th-e vertically extending portion 70 of the.supporting frame 43 is a bracket 71 (Fig. 4) and pivotally connected atits lower end to the bracket 71, as at 72, (Figs.` 2 and 4) is a latchoperating arm 69, (Fig. 4) ;'the arm 69 having at its upper end alaterally extending latch pin 73 (Figs. 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16). This latchpin 73 carries an anti-friction roller 95 thereon which rides upon theperipheral surface of a latch cam 74 which is mounted upon the shaft 46at one end of the latter, (Fig. 2), the cam 74 having a notched portion75 formed in its peripheral surface (Figl Operation f The latch pin '131s normauydisposedV in the notched portion 75 of the latching cam 74(Figs.

4 and 5) and the latchingcam 74, latch pin 73, and target V24 arenormally disposed in the positions'indicated'in full lines in Fig. 4. Inthis' position of these parts, the engagement of the latch pin 73 in thenotched portion 75 of the cam 74 prevents movementof the various partsof the new amusement apparatus, and the seat get-supporting member 23pivots the latch operating arnf 65 upwardly (Fig. 4), thereby raisingthe other latchoperating arm 67, (from full to dotted line position,Fig. 4') under the latch pin 73, thus lifting the latch pin 73 up outofthe notched portion 75 of the latching cam 74.-

Theweight of the boy on'the seat 27 then pivots the seat 27 downwardly,thereby dropping the boy off the seat 27 into the'pool 20, and at thesame time rotating the shaft 25; (counterclockwise, Fig. 9). Thismovement of the seat 27 v and its supporting shaft -25 acts through thegears 36, 37 to rotate the vertical shaft 38 in the channel or groove 39(counter-clockwise, Fig. 1K1) f and this rotation of the vertical shaft38 acts through the gears and 41 to rotate the horlzontal shaft 42 whichin Aturn acts through the gears 44 and 45 to rotate the shaft 46 andthev latch cam 74 (clockwise, Figs. 4 and 5, from the position of Fig`f4to the position of Fig. 5, the Shaft 46being thus rotatedcounterclockwise,

Fig. 8). This rotation of the shaft 46 movestheV in the direction of theboy as the latter is dropped' olf the seat 27 into the pool 20. `Duringthis movement of the animal character 21, the body portion 57 and theVupper jaw portion 76 of the animal character 21 pivot downwardly uponthe shaft 50, thus closing the upper Vjaw portion 76 of the animalcharacter upon the lower jaw,V

portion 52 of the same.v During these movementsv of the animal character21' the springs 53 keep` the lower jawA portion 52 of the same in asubstantially horizontal position and flush with the surface of thewater in the pool 20. The extent or length of this movement of theanimal character 2l is limited by the engagement of the upper endportion 86 of the link 62 with the marginal anges 85 of thechannel-shaped member (Fig. 8).

The vertical side rails 77 of the ladder 28 are pivotally mounted attheir upper ends on the shaft 42, by means of a bracket 78 (Figs. 8 and13), and one of these side rails y77 of the ladder 28 is pivotallyconnected, at its lower end, as at Cil 80, to a link 79 which, in turn,is pivotally suspended from the vertical post22, as at 81 (Fig. 13). f

When the seat 27 isin lowered or vertical p0- sition, the ladder 28 isin raised position (dotted lineposition, Figs. 8 and 13). t

VWhen the boy is dropped from the seat 27 into the pool 20 he from thelatter by climbing up the rungs 82 of the ladder 28 onto stationary rung93 which project laterally from thepost 22 above the pool 20 (Fig. 8),and as he climbs up the ladder 28 his weight thereon pivots the latter28 downwardly (from dotted to full line position, Figs. 8 and 13)thereby rotating the shaft 42 (clockwise, Fig. 13). This rotation of theshaft 42 acts through the train of' shafts and gears42-41-48-38-37--36-25 to rotate the shaft 25 (clockwise, Figs. 9 and`l2), thus raising and resetting the seat 27-29 into horizontalposition. Y

At the same time this rotation of the shaft 42 (clockwise, Fig. 13) actsthrough the gears 44-45 to rotate the shaft 46 (clockwise, Fig. 8),thereby rotating the animal character 21 and its supporting structureY49--47-'48-51-60, etc. (clockwise, Fig. 8) rthus resetting theanimalcharacter 2l back into its initial position (Fig. l) while '4), therebyreengaging the latch pin 73 inthe notched portion 75 of the latch cam74, and thus relatching the seat 27 in horizontal or raised positionandthe target 23`-24, and animal character 2l in their initialpositions. Y

Attached to and projecting laterally from the latch-operating arm 69 isa block 87 (Figs. 15 and 16) in which is provided a 'slot 88; the latchpin 73 being adjustable axially of this slot by means of set screws 89and 90 which are mounted in the block 87 at opposite ends thereof.

The stroke or arc of movement of the target 24 and its supporting armv23 (from full to dotted line position, Fig. 4) necessary to raise thelatch pin 73 out of. latching engagement with the notched portion 75 ofthe cam 74 torelease the movableV parts of the apparatus may be variedby adjusting the latch pin 73 axially of the slot 88 by means ofthe setscrews 89 and 90.

The counterweight'ed arm 48 of the member 47 v has a counterweightsleeve 94 slidably adjustable thereon by means of a pin and slotconnection 91-92 (Figs. 8 and 14) and by adjusting thel sleeve 91axially along the arm 48 the weight of the animal character 2l and itssupporting structure 453-51, etc., located Vabove the-frame 43 and shaft46, may be properly balanced. v

While I have illustrated and describedthe preferred form of constructionfor carrying my invention into eifect, this is capable ofvariation andmodification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I,therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precised details ofconstruction setfOrth, but desire to avail myself of such variaingsaidsupporting structure in raisedV position against the -force of gravityso as Vto support an object thereon; means actuated by a missil strikingsaid target to release said latching means and said supporting structureso that the latter may drop by gravity and dislodge said objecttherefrom; and means actuated by the movement ofsaid-supportingstructure to move said animal character in the directionof the said object, thus disiodged from said supporting structure.

2. In an amusement apparatus, the combinaallow said seat to dropbygravity and dislodge the man therefrom; and means actuated bythemovement of said seat to move said animal character in the direction ofthe man thus dislodged from said seat.

3. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of: an upright target; ananimal character; a pivotally mounted seat disposed above said animalcharacter and adapted to support a man thereon; means normally latchingsaid seat in a raised, horizontal position against the force of gravityso as to support a man thereon; means actuated by a missile strikingsaid target to release said latching means so as to allow said seat todrop by gravity and dislodge the said man therefrom; and meansactuated'by the aforesaid downward movement of said seat to move saidanimal character in the direction of the man thus dislodged from saidseat.

4. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of: an upright target; ananimal character;

a pivotally mounted seat disposed above said animal character andadapted to support a man thereon; means normally latching said seat in araised, horizontal position against the force of gravity so as tosupport a man thereon; means actuated by a missile striking said targetto release said latching means so as to allow saidseat to drop bygravity and dislodge the said man therefrom; means actuated by Vtheaforesaid downward movement of said seat to move said animal characterin the direction ofthe man thus dislodged from said seat; and means forresetting the aforementioned parts in their initial positions; saidresetting means including'a ladder by which the man dislodged from saidVseat` may climb up toward the latter.

5. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of: a target; an animalcharacter; pivotally mounted means for supporting a man above the saidanimal character; means normally latching the said supporting means inposition to support a man thereon against-the attraction of gravity;means actuated by a missile striking said target lto release saidlatching means from latching engagement with said supporting means so asto allow the said supporting means to drop by the attraction of gravityand dislodge the man therefrom; and means actuated by the saiddislodging or dropping movement of said supporting means to movesaidanimal character in the direction of the man thus dislodged fromsaid supporting means.

6. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of: a target; an animalcharacter; pivotally mounted means for supporting a man above the saidanimal character; means normally latohing the .said supporting means inposition to support a man thereon against the attraction of gravity;means actuated by a missile striking said target to release saidlatching means from latching engagement with said supporting means so asto allow the said supporting means to drop by the attraction of gravityand dislodge the man therefrom; means actuated by the said dislodging ordropping movement of said supporting means to move iard animal characterin the direction of the man thus dislodged from said supporting means;and means for resetting the aforementioned parts into their initialpositions; said resettingV means including a ladder by which the mandislodged from said supporting means may climb upwardly toward the same.

7. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of; va target; pivotallymounted means for supporting a man abovesaid target against theattraction of gravity; means normally latching the said supporting meansin position to support a man thereon against the attraction of gravity;

means actuated by a missile striking said target to releasersaidlatching means from latching engagement with said supporting means, soas to i to move an object in the direction of the man disvlodged fromsaid supporting means.

8. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of: a target; pivotallymounted means forsupporting an objectabove saidvv target; means actuatedby a missile striking said target and coacting with said supportingmeans to dislodge said object from said supporting means; and meansactuated by the said missile striking said'ftarget to move an object inthe direction of the said rst-named object thus dislodged from saidsupporting means.

- PAUL F. GAUS.

